Meet Our Hosts and Founders

Rue Mapp and Holly Heyser are passionate about the outdoors, and each has devoted her life to connecting others to the natural world. The two met through California Waterfowl’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program in 2020, and became inseparable during a season of hunting mentorship, outdoor joy, and a shared passion for helping more Black people rediscover nature through hunting.

Having learned much from one another about the challenges and opportunities that face new hunters -- especially for groups less represented in the hunting world -- the two decided to create a new platform for culturally relevant and celebratory outdoor education: the Black Heritage Hunt.

The Black Heritage Hunt is about welcoming, awakening more people to the variety of delicious flavors found in wild game, and reclaiming the deep roots of hunting in Black America.

Our annual California Beginner Duck Hunt is an immersive small-group experience. Participants learn the essentials of duck hunting and game processing in a well appointed private club in Northern California, enjoy delicious cooking demos, and rediscover Black hunting history from experienced hunters and celebrated wild game chefs.

Our 2021 event was a wild success - check out the photos here.

Everyone is always welcome to join in -- and we look forward to seeing you in the blind!